Unbridled Class rewards backers in Nelson J. Menard Memorial

Indiana-bred Unbridled Class has a thing for the turf course in New Orleans.

The 5-year-old mare scored a sharp turf-sprint allowance win over the Fair Grounds course last February and in her first Fair Grounds grass race since then she dominated the $75,000 Nelson J. Menard Memorial Stakes on Saturday.

Going straight to the front under Colby Hernandez, Unbridled Class set a relatively strong pace and never came close to being caught, cruising past the finish 2 3/4 lengths in front of runner-up Play On. Change of Control finished third as later-runner horses struggled to make up ground. Hotshot Anna, the 6-5 favorite, never got untracked and finished eighth, ending her five-race winning streak.

Not too many bettors saw this breakout coming from Unbridled Class, who had raced throughout much of 2019 in Indiana-bred competition at Indiana Grand. She returned $53.60 for Saturday's victory.

“The horse broke very sharp and I just stayed out of her way,” Hernandez said.

Unbridled Class was timed in 1:03.84 over a turf course rated firm. The temporary rail was set at nine feet.

Bernie Flint trains Unbridled Class for LTB Inc. and Hillerich Racing. Unbridled Class is by Unbridled Express out of Miss Carmelite, by Mutakddim, Flint’s Fair Grounds string has been running hot this racing week, going 5-3-1-1 starting with Thursday’s card.